Chapter 1320


    In North America, Ian''s influence was constrained, and the flow of information had trickled to a slow


    drip. The circumstances surrounding Fitch''s death still gnawed at him, feeling off-kilter in a way he


    couldn''t pin down.


    But calling Fitch was out of the question.


    Back home, Bernard was still unconscious, and if any connection between Fitch and Ian, now a


    fugitive, was unearthed, even if Fitch was breathing, he wouldn''t be able to escape the inevitable trial


    that would follow.


    Logic dictated that Ian should stay put and wait for news, but if Fitch really was dead, implicated


    because of him, how could Ian possibly stay calm?


    Sshing cold water on his face in the bathroom, Ian tried to wash away his disquiet. When he


    emerged, Nydia was waiting with news.


    "Patric''s ready to sing," she dered.


    Patric had an innate aversion to Eric, resenting the constant praise of Eric''s achievements that shone


    brightly in theirmunity. The irritation was clear on his face, twisted with a remnant of brutality as he


    was led out of the room. As he spotted Ian, Patric lunged forward, an angry fist cocked, but the cuffs on


    his wrists and the shackles on his ankles allowed him only a short advance before being restrained.


    His eyes bore into Ian''s, and after a moment''s pause, Patric scoffed, "You want intel on the research


    facility? I''ll need a moment to ponder. After all, I''ve only received scraps of knowledge in that area."


    "Then bring out Eric. He knows that."


    "Do you think I don''t want him to speak? He''s been courting death over and over, now barely clinging to


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    life. He only reacts when Maja''s around," Ian said, hisshes flickering at the mention of her name.


    Patric, freshly wounded from interrogation, seized the opportunity to jab at Ian''s sore spot, tilting his


    head back with a hint of defiance.


    "Your brother was head over heels for Maja, clinging to a promise they made in the confines of that


    facility. Ian, you just lucked out, slipping into his life while he was away."


    "Luck is a part of strength," Ian retorted, his tone colder than before.


    In the past, any mention of Eric and Maja would have triggered a much more visceral reaction from Ian.


    But now, knowing who his enemies were, he refused to engage in a war of words with Patric.


    "Patric, either let Erice forward or make an effort to assimte those memories."


    Cornered, Patric realized the gravity of his situation. He had influence in North America, and his power


    was nothing to scoff at, butpared to the underground fighting rings, he was still outmatched. Ian''s


    audacity in this instance suggested that if pushed too far, Patric could well end up with a bullet in him.


    Nothing seemed beyond Ian''s capacity for action.


    "Maybe a stroll around this seventh floor will jog my memory," Patric bargained.


    Ian, seeing his willingness to cooperate, nodded at Nydia to take charge.


    "Nydia, have someone shadow him. He may have acquired some of Eric''s pharmaceutical abilities.


    Don''t let him touch anything, and search him again. Leave him nothing but the clothes on his back.


    Remember, nothing at all."


    Eric was a pharmaceutical prodigy, and in his hands, even the simplest of objects could be lethal.


    "Rest easy," Nydia assured him.


    Grabbing his zer from a nearby chair, Ian made to leave the room, but Nydia stepped forward,


    stopping him.


    "nning a covert trip back home? Ian, hear me out. Going back now will only stir more chaos in


    Greenfield. It won''t help. If you truly care for Maja, then I trust she''s no ordinary woman. Have faith in


    her strength, as she should have in you. Isn''t that what true partners do – support each other? Think


    about who else you might be overlooking."


    Her words struck a chord with Ian.


    He had always relied on what he had at his disposal to solve problems, somehow forgetting that Maja,


    too, was growing stronger. Shecked a powerful family background, but her rate of growth was


    astonishing. Never one to give up in adversity, her resilience had always been her most shining quality.


    Ian immediately contacted Zoey, asking her to connect him with Cornelia. She was a seed Maja had


    nted that might now bear fruit.


    Cornelia, pulled urgently from a film set, showed no hesitation when told to seek out Omar Casson.


    Instead, her voice filled with concern, she asked, "Has Ms. Pennyfeather''s sight returned?"


    Everyone at Star Movie Group had been worried sick about Maja''s blindness, and since there had


    been no contact from her since then, concern had only grown. With Zoey having heard of Ian''s


    departure and the core members of thepany in the know, everyone was on edge, afraid to reach


    out to Ian or Maja, lest they inadvertently cause more trouble.


    "She''s fine," Ian assured her.


    "Good, good. Mr. Raymond, I can still reach you at this number, right? Don''t worry, I''ll go straight to


    Omar and get him on Fitch''s case."


    "Thank you."


    This was the first time Cornelia was directly dealing with Ian, and the first time she heard gratitude in


    his voice. After hanging up, she meticulously applied her makeup, preparing to step out and meet


    Omar.